Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 7434

FCC votes to replace Huawei equipment in US networks

WASHINGTON — The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously on Tuesday to finalize a $1.9-billion program to reimburse mostly rural US carriers for removing equipment from telecommunications networks from Chinese companies deemed national security threats like Huawei and ZTE Corp.

Last year, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats to communications networks — a declaration that barred US firms from tapping an $8.3-billion government fund to purchase equipment from the companies. The FCC in December adopted rules requiring carriers with ZTE or Huawei equipment to “rip and replace” that equipment.

“There is a serious risk that this equipment may be manipulated, disrupted or controlled by foreign actors,” Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. “We will evaluate network after network, base station after base station and router after router until we have rooted out our equipment that could undermine national security. It’s a daunting task.”

The issue is a big one for rural carriers that face high costs and difficulty finding workers to remove and replace equipment.

Huawei said in a statement the rules “are simply an unrealistic attempt to fix what isn’t broken. The FCC initiative only creates extraordinary challenges for carriers in the most rural/remote areas of the US to maintain the same high level and quality of service they provide to their customers without disruption.”

The FCC’s final order expands the companies eligible for reimbursement from those with 2 million or fewer customers to those with 10 million or fewer customers.

The FCC in September 2020 estimated it would cost $1.837 billion to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment from networks.

Last month, the FCC voted to advance a plan to ban approvals for equipment in US telecommunications networks from Chinese companies deemed national security threats like Huawei and ZTE. The FCC could also revoke prior equipment authorizations issued to Chinese companies.

In March, the FCC designated five Chinese companies as posing a threat to national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting US communications networks.

The affected companies included the previously designated Huawei and ZTE, as well as Hytera Communications Corp., Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co.

In August 2020, the US government barred federal agencies from buying goods or services from any of the five Chinese companies. — Reuters

Local e-vehicle makers open to exporting units

ELECTRIC VEHICLE ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

LOCAL electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are open to entering the export market, but they will need government assistance in obtaining bank financing, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said on Wednesday.

“Most of our local EV manufacturers are still concentrating first on the local market; however, if there are some opportunities that are being offered or given to them, they won’t resist on having it on an export,” EVAP President Edmund A. Araga said at the 9th Electric Vehicle Summit.

“In terms of technology and experience, they already proved to the market that it’s viable and feasible and that their units are working,” he added.

Mr. Araga pointed out that the “big question” this time is on the financing schemes.

“The capitalization is very significant for them to pull through and have it offered to the export market as well,” he noted.

EVAP, Mr. Araga also said, is “hoping” that the Finance department would tap commercial banks to open their doors to the local EV manufacturers.

Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino announced at the forum that the Energy department will soon release a policy on EV charging stations.

“The public consultations have been done on the electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure,” he said. “The circular has been finally signed. We are looking forward to its publication later this month or early next month.”

“If you are going into the business of EV charging stations, you get a menu coming from the board of investments,” the official added.

Raymond B. Ravelo, Meralco vice-president and chief sustainability officer, said EVs will play a vital role in the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

“If there is anything that COVID did, it created a greater sensitivity to health or respiratory health in general, so EVs are definitely supportive of anything in that regard,” he said.

“EVs have shown a lot of resilience in light of this pandemic. Even the overall car market has shrunk in 2020, EVs maintained a steady growth,” Mr. Ravelo also noted. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Hotel News (07/15/21)

Rainy day staycation at The Peninsula

AS MANILA slowly drifts towards the rainy season, one can’t be faulted for looking forward to cozy, peaceful moments indoors. And there’s probably no better way to enjoy the Manila thunderstorms than with The Peninsula Manila’s “Happy Rainy Days at The Pen” room package.

Here’s a list of the “Happy Rainy Days at The Pen” room package inclusions that will lift one’s spirits during a staycation on a cloudy day: a rainy-day retreat in a newly renovated Deluxe Room (or upgrade to a suite) with personalized service amid beautiful interiors (a maximum of two adults and two children ages five and below are allowed in a room); breakfast at The Lobby with local and international specialties like pork tocino, daing na bangus, and longganisa or pancakes, bircher muesli, and other treats one never really has at home; Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea (that can be shared by two), served daily in The Lobby, accompanied by Martin Avila tinkling the piano keys daily at The Upper Lobby (Afternoon Tea for two may also be served in-room); and, surprisingly, ice cream on a rainy day, as adult guests who book the room package can choose two pints from The Peninsula Boutique’s new line of inventive alcohol-infused ice creams and sorbets (families with children can opt for two pints of icy milk, fruit, and nut-laden ice cream creations instead) which may be enjoyed in-room or at The Lobby.

Guests can enjoy Filipino-made welcome amenities for children and adults from Looking for Juan —  an on-line social enterprise store that is home to socially-relevant and art-infused merchandise that is the result of years of collaborative efforts with Filipino creatives to promote children’s literacy, explore national identity, and broaden public awareness for Philippine art, culture, and the environment. For every confirmed stay, the hotel together with Looking for Juan will donate two books to children from underprivileged communities.

Rates for this July to August staycation start at P9,000 for a Deluxe Room, exclusive of taxes. For inquiries or further information on the room package, call 8887-2888 (trunk line), extension 6630 (Room Reservations), e-mail reservationpmn@peninsula.com, visit the website peninsula.com, or through PenChat, The Peninsula Manila’s 24-hour e-concierge by using this link: https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.

Safe escapes at Lio Beach

LIO ESTATE Resorts is introducing its e-commerce platform for travelers who want to visit the resorts in El Nido. The new online scheme provides convenient booking, flexible rebooking and cancellation, and exclusive discounts within one website. Lio Beach embraces digitization as a vital step towards tourism recovery in line with safety standards, and simplifies the travel planning experience by showing only the best available offers, available dates, and travel requirements.

Ayala Land’s first sustainable township development in El Nido, Lio has its own airport which connects it to Manila and other destinations. It has grown into a self-contained beach community town with hotels, resorts, and commercial establishments along a 4.2-km coastline, as well as nature trails and lagoons supervised by certified environmental stewards.

Among the packages travelers can avail of online now are: the Huni Lio Travel Bubble Package (approved by the Department of Tourism), which includes end-to-end travel solutions such as pre-arranged RT-PCR swab testing, a dedicated carrier by AirSWIFT, a four day-three night stay in Huni Lio, and low-density nature activities under the “Be GREEN, Be Clean” Enhanced Care Program; the Casa Kalaw Leisure Travel Package, designed for solo travelers or small groups who prefer to explore at their own pace, it offers three day-two nighs accommodations, daily set breakfast, and free access to beach recreational amenities and activities (antigen testing is required for guests coming from Palawan); and, Work From Paradise Long-Term Stays, a special program which combines a beach setting and being connected to work. It follows a Travel Bubble format and includes lodging at Balai Adlao, roundtrip airport transfers, access to lounge areas, discounts on use of LTE pocket Wi-Fi, and use of Seda Lio’s swimming pool and gym.

The estate’s restaurants are open, as are access to ATMs, the estate clinic, and a mobile wet and dry market. For more information, log on to www.lio.ph or e-mail reservations@lioestateresorts.com.

Park Inn by Radisson opens in Bacolod

THE RADISSON Hotel Group has opened a Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental province. The family-friendly Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod is located within the SM City Bacolod mall, providing guests with instant access to extensive retail, F&B outlets, entertainment facilities and the SMX Convention Center.

The property features 150 modern rooms ranging from 25 to 49 sqm, including Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Junior Suites. All rooms come equipped with king or twin beds, bathrooms, and amenities such as bedside USB ports and free Wi-Fi. There are separate outdoor pools for adults and children, in-room spa services, a fitness center, and jogging path. The hotel offers guests a choice of four restaurants and bars: Arima, an all-day dining destination that serves a wide range of international dishes; DASH, the ground floor “Grab & Go” concept; Lobby Lounge, a casual café and juice bar; and Marapara Plaza an al fresco venue that specializes in comfort food and cool drinks. Guests can also visit Art Cove, the hotel’s gallery space dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists and photographers with regular exhibitions.

For corporate travelers and meeting planners, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod features three function rooms suited to a variety of events including business meetings, training sessions and media briefings, all supported by audiovisual equipment and professional services.

Radisson Hotel Group now operates five Park Inn by Radisson properties in the Philippines, located in Clark, Davao, Iloilo City, North EDSA (Quezon City), and Bacolod, as well as an upscale Radisson Blu hotel in Cebu City.

Hotel discounts for safe staycations

UNIVERSAL bank EastWest is making staycations more worthwhile for its credit cardholders through exclusive discounts and perks with its hotel partners. EastWest credit cardholders get access to special benefits across a wide selection of hotels:

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar — Offers 40% off on published rates on all Standard Rooms and Casas inclusive of breakfast for two, a walking tour, kalesa and tranvia rides, beach and swimming pool access, and Wi-Fi. Groups of four may avail of the Beach Perfect Packages which, on top of their corresponding rooms and standard inclusions, also offer the use of the beach cabana with P2,000 credits at Dapitan Bar, P1,000 dining credits at all major food and beverage (F&B) outlets, and P1,500.00 water activity credits. All guests are also entitled to a free appetizer for a minimum single receipt F&B purchase of P1,500.

Rancho Bernardo Luxury Villas and Resort — Offers 30% off on its villas with breakfast, welcome refreshments, 24/7 butler service, and exclusive access to the resort and its partner facilities. Guests will also get 15% off on their total F&B bill at The Ambassador’s Reception and Nicci Pool Bar and Lounge.

Discovery Primea (for quarantine stays) — Offers a complimentary box of Tapenade pizza for guests who stay in an Executive Suite for a minimum of seven nights, while those who stay in a Primea Suite for a minimum of seven nights will get two Tapenade pizza boxes.

Taal Vista Hotel — Offers room rates for as low as P4,300 per night with a breakfast buffet for two pax and a welcome kit with face masks, sanitizer, and alcohol wipes. Guests can also enjoy a 10% discount at the Veranda and Taza restaurants for a la carte meals, as well as a 20% discount at the Veranda buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.

Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast and roundtrip transfers for two people with a minimum two-night stay, topped with 10% off the total F&B bill and 10% off on Narra Spa services.

Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast for two pax, as well as 10% off the total F&B bill.

Two Seasons Boracay Resort — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast for two pax, as well as 10% off the total F&B bill.

Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay — Offers an all-in four-day/three-night stay package inclusive of private round-trip air travel via AirTaxi.PH. Offer is inclusive of a stay at a Signature Beach Front Villa, daily breakfast for two, P7,000 resort credits that can be used for dining, AUM Spa, and Sports and Leisure activities, 15% savings on Sports and Leisure activities and AUM Spa, and 50% savings on selected drinks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at J’s Pool Bar.

The District Boracay — Offers a four-day/three-night stay in a Deluxe Room starting at P4,900 per night and includes breakfast, a massage, and a roundtrip transfer from and to Caticlan Airport for two. Guests can also enjoy 10% off on all F&B outlets for a minimum single receipt spend of P1,000 as well as 10% off on Upperhouse Spa services.

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast for two pax. Guests can also enjoy 15% off on F&B, 5+1 on day tour packages, and 20% off on Amuma spa services plus a one-time 15-minute Amuma Sampler massage.

Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast and dinner for two pax as well as roundtrip boat transfers. Guests can also enjoy 15% off on F&B and 5+1 on day tour packages.

Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort — Offers 30% off on published rates on rooms inclusive of breakfast for two pax. Guests can also enjoy 15% off on F&B and 5+1 on day tour packages.

Acacia Hotel Davao — Offers its Deluxe Room at P4,500 per night inclusive of breakfast for two pax and offers 10% savings on the total F&B bill.

For more information on these hotel promos, visit bit.ly/EWBCreditCardPromos.

QBO teams up with Microsoft  for startup accelerator program

QBO Innovation Hub has teamed up with Microsoft Philippines to launch a program meant to help startups developing enterprise solutions, it said on Tuesday.

The program called AQELERATION: B2B Startups Disrupting Industries will run for six months to support ventures creating business-to-business (B2B) solutions to help digitize local companies, QBO, a public-private partnership platform for Filipino startups, said in a statement.

“This program aims to empower the B2B tech startups, which is currently the largest startup segment in the country, as part of QBO and Microsoft’s shared commitment to nurturing the greater Philippine startup community,” it said.

“The AQELERATION program leverages QBO and Microsoft’s combined strengths, and we’re excited to collaborate with Microsoft for this initiative,” QBO Innovation Hub Executive Director Katrina Rausa Chan was quoted as saying. “Microsoft’s experience and deep technology expertise in developing B2B and enterprise solutions will be valuable to Filipino founders and will help them scale their startups.”

“There’s so much potential and creativity within the Philippine startup and digital native community which is why we’re thrilled to work together with QBO Innovation Hub in this effort,” Abid Zaidi, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Philippines, said. “Economic recovery will take a concerted effort from all players in the Philippines and that includes startups. As such, we want to ensure technology’s transformational potential is accessible and inclusive to all businesses in the country.”

The program will select three startups that will receive training and mentorship, as well as a financial grant from QBO and strategic support.

The statement said the program is open to B2B tech startups offering “innovative solutions that disrupt the industry” and have over 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises or two corporate accounts as clients.

These startups must also be incorporated or be registered business entities, have a full team and validated business model, and should be open to or are currently using Microsoft Azure solutions.

Applications are ongoing, with the deadline for filing set on June 23. QBO said they will select top 10 startups by the end of this month and the three ventures that will go through the program that will run from September 2021 to February 2022 will be announced on Aug. 13.

Qualified and interested startups can send their applications through this link: bit.ly/msftaqeleration2021. — BVR

Enabling regulations, pandemic pushed fintech sector’s expansion

THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic and an enabling regulatory environment have allowed more fintech firms to prosper in the Philippines and offer various products seen to help bring more of the population into the financial system.

In a BusinessWorld Insights session on Wednesday, experts discussed how the country’s finance ecosystem has evolved as more fintech firms emerged and forged partnerships with bigger players in the sector.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor Edna C. Villa said the central bank’s regulatory approach has helped to boost the industry, with  220 fintechs recorded as of end-2020 from just 30 in 2016.

“The BSP’s stance on fintech innovation is to encourage responsive but responsible innovations. What I mean is the BSP would like to see the emergence of new models, products, and services, but at the same time, we have the assurance that timely identification and appropriate mitigation of risks associated with these new products are in place,” Ms. Villa said.

She noted key regulatory issuances such as BSP Circular 1105, which differentiated digital banks from traditional lenders, and BSP Circular 1122, which established an open finance framework, allowing players can share customer-consented data in aid of product development, are expected to help foster the continued growth of the financial sector as a whole.

V Ram, vice-president and chief technology officer of the Banking Financial Services and Insurance unit of Tata Consultancy Services, said the pandemic was crucial in the acceleration of the adoption of digital payments in the country.

Banks and companies have been forced to undergo digital transformation, which normally happens in a span of five to seven years, during the pandemic, he said. This helped facilitate the use of online payments, which became a “lifeline” for many businesses and individuals, especially during the time when many countries imposed lockdowns.

“There was minimum travel, minimum movement. If it was not for digital payments that served as a lifeline, the movement of goods and services would have been a problem,” Mr. Ram said. 

But even with the fintech sector seeing accelerated growth recently, gaps and opportunities remain as financial inclusion remains low in the Philippines. BSP data showed only 29% of Filipino adults were part of the banked population as of 2019, leaving 51.2 million unbanked.

By 2023, the central bank wants to bring 70% of adult Filipinos into the banked population and have 50% of the volume and value of transactions done digitally.

To capture the underbanked and underserved Filipino market, financial services should be “non-intimidating, simplified, secure, and innovation-driven,” said Tonik Digital Bank, Inc. (Philippines) President Maria Lourdes Jocelyn S. Pineda.

“We understood that not all of the population are digital natives. Some people, especially the older set, are not too comfortable with using technology to do banking,” Ms. Pineda said.

She said fintech players should ensure their services are accessible and easy to use, especially for people not entirely at ease with making online transactions.

“How else do we do banking? People have been used to going to physical bank branches but they had to do for alternative transactions during the pandemic,” Ms. Pineda said.

Meanwhile, PearlPay CEO and co-founder Sparky Perreras shared that for their part, they opted to offer digital solutions for the smaller rural banks whose clients mostly only have passbooks that cannot be used in e-commerce and online payments. He said they also want to help microfinance institutions digitize.

Mr. Perreras is positive that with the welcoming regulatory environment in the country, fintech players will continue to grow and help in giving more Filipinos access to financial services.

“We give credit to our regulators. Because the BSP is one of the most aggressive in the region comparatively, it really changed the landscape,” he said. — L.W.T. Noble

Federal Reserve’s Daly says inflation temporary, taper may start by yearend

CONSUMER PRICE spikes, which in June surged the most since 2008, will likely be a temporary feature of an economy that’s quickly recovering from the pandemic, said Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly.

Ms. Daly, who said she is “bullish” about the economy going into the fall, said it’s now appropriate for the central bank to begin discussing scaling back its monthly asset purchases, which could start at the end of the year or early 2022.

“It’s appropriate to start talking about tapering our asset purchases, taking some of the accommodation we provided to the economy down,” Ms. Daly said Tuesday in an interview on CNBC. “We’ll still be in a very accommodative position with a low funds rate, but we don’t need all the tools as we see the economy get its own footing.”

Consumer prices rose 0.9% in June, the biggest increase since 2008, and 5.4% on a year-over-year basis, according to Labor department data released Tuesday. Used vehicles accounted for more than a third of the gain, signaling that higher inflation is likely to be temporary, said Ms. Daly, a voter on this year’s Federal Open Market Committee.

“I really do see this as temporary, the used cars really being a good example,” Ms. Daly said. “The used car prices are simply a reflection of the temporary bottlenecks we see in the new car supply because of the semiconductor chips that need to be put into the cars, and also people are going back to work and they need to get cars. All of these things work themselves out.”

Fed critics, including some Republican lawmakers, argue the central bank is risking runaway inflation by holding interest rates near zero and purchasing $120 billion in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities every month. Chair Jerome Powell can expect to be grilled on the dangers when he appears before the House Financial Services Committee at 12 p.m. in Washington on Wednesday and the Senate banking panel a day later.

The coronavirus delta variant, which has become the main strain in the US poses risks to the economic recovery, Ms. Daly said, adding that she doesn’t think it’s time yet to start talking about raising interest rates.

“I think it’s really premature to talk about rate increases,” Ms. Daly said. “Right now we want to do the following: we need to get through the fall — the Delta variant being so contagious and spreading throughout the globe and actually spreading in the US — that’s a risk. We just need to open the economy fully.”

Fed officials moved up their expectations for an interest rate increase at the June meeting, with the median projection of the 18 policy makers showing two rate increases in 2023, from none when they last published forecasts in March. Seven of 18 officials also penciled in rate liftoff next year.

Ms. Daly said the Fed will first focus on tapering its asset purchases, and then will turn to the federal funds rate.

“The next step will definitely depend on the economy, and most importantly where COVID goes,” Ms. Daly said. — Bloomberg

Dining In/Out (07/15/21)

Las Flores offers new lunch menu

SPECIALIZING in Spanish dishes, Las Flores in Salcedo Village, Makati City, recently launched a new lunch menu plus crowd favorite tapas and paella bundled with sangria. For those who opt to stay home, delivery and take-out services are also available. Las Flores has taken its lunch menu a notch higher with the addition of the following Lunch Plates: Grilled Tuna with Garlic Rice (P595) and Roasted Chicken with Garlic Rice (P595), served with a glass of calamansi iced tea and two Chorizo Croquetas. For a heartier Lunch Plate, choose one starter (Tuna Tartar, Beef Carpaccio, Grilled Vegetables, Salmorejo, Pumpkin Soup, Green Salad, Caesar Salad) and one main course (Seafood Spaghetti, Canelones, Spanish Omelette, Grilled Salmon, Butifarra, Chicken Paella, Vegetarian Paella) for P695 inclusive of a glass of calamansi iced tea. There is also paella for lunch, with solo sizes starting at P395 (Paella Negra, Paella Setas, Paella Verduras, Paella Mariscos, Paella Pulpo, and Paella Pollo y Cerdo). Plates full of bite-sized Spanish appetizers are available too: Dos Tapas for P595 (Patatas Bravas, Bombas de la Barceloneta); Tres Tapas for P995 (Chipirones Andaluza, Patatas Bravas, Bombas de la Barceloneta); and Cuatro Tapas for P1,395 (Chipirones Andaluza, Patatas Bravas, Bombas de la Barceloneta, Croquetas de Jamon Iberico). Make it a Spanish feast with the Fiesta Bundle which includes two kinds of tapas (Patatas Bravas and Bombas de la Barceloneta), a grande Paella Verduras, and a pitcher of Red Sangria for P1,595. For those who’d rather dine at home, order from Las Flores’ delivery partners. Delivery offers include 30% off on all Sundays and Mondays of the month when one orders via Foodpanda. For more information follow @lasfloresph on Instagram and Las Flores on Facebook. For table bookings, visit bit.ly/bistronomia-ph or contact 0966-331-1351.

RWM reopens Jardin dining spot

RESORTS World Manila’s (RWM) al fresco hangout spot reopens to the public. Indulge in Filipino-style BBQ and classic pizza at the open garden of the Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City. Jardin is open Thursdays to Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m. As RWM was recently granted a property-wide Safety Seal, guests and patrons are assured that 100% of business establishments within the RWM complex adheres to strict implementation of the standard health and safety protocols set by the IATF and Department of Health. For more information on Jardin and other RWM spots, visit www.rwmanila.com and follow @rwmanila and @newportmall on Facebook and Twitter.

Meetings with Sheraton Manila Bay’s sandwich box

SHERATON Manila Bay’s Sandwich Box of Surprises offer a versatile option for meeting, planning sessions, or work parties. For P1,988 net, each set includes 16 assorted sandwiches composed of four savory selection (Sheraton Club Sandwich, Smoke Salmon in Country Baguette, Chicken Shawarma, and Pulled Pork Cubano), Mango & Grapes Salad with Feta Crumble, Nachos with Salsa, Mango Float, and Special Mocktails, good for sharing up to four persons. Promo is available until Aug. 30. To order for delivery, call 5318-0788, 0917-583-7294, 0917-583-7326 or e-mail sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com. Twenty-four hours advance order is required. For a full listing of the hotel’s gourmet takeaways menu, visit http://bit.ly/ccmnlsb. Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico cor. Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila.

McDonald’s opens new Bike and Dine facilities in Pampanga

MCDONALD’S Philippines has opened Bike & Dine facilities in its CM Recto and Clark Gate stores in Pampanga, in its bid to provide more outdoor dining options. Known as a bike-friendly zone, Clark plans to build more bike-related facilities moving forward and through the McDonald’s Bike & Dine, this aims to provide cyclists a dining space after they “Ride Thru.” McDonald’s Ride Thru aims to encourage all types of vehicles, not just four-wheeled ones, to order food via the drive through lane without leaving their vehicle. Apart from that, cyclists can mount their bike securely in racks that are attached to a ledge which doubles as a table. That way bike-riding customers can enjoy their meals without worrying about the safety of their bicycles. There are two other Bike & Dine facilities in the country, McDonald’s Vermosa (Cavite) and McDonald’s McKinley West (Taguig), with more slated to open this year.

Space Jam Tune Squad toy collectibles out in McDonald’s

THE SPACE JAM: A New Legacy film is coming out this year, and McDonald’s Philippines will offer the new Space Jam Happy Meal to mark the occasion. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, and the rest of the crew are all returning, with the addition of King Lebron James in the toy character lineup. The new design collectibles are in honor of the sequel to the classic Space Jam movie which was released 25 years ago. Space Jam: A New Legacy is the standalone sequel that features another adventure with the Looney Squad. The Space Jam Happy Meal consists of 12 Tune Squad characters which include: Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Road Runner, Yosemite Sam, Wile E. Coyote, Taz, Elmer Fudd, Marvin the Martian, and Lebron James. All 12 toys are now available. Order via McDelivery, McDo Drive-Thru, Take-Out, or Dine-In.

Crimson Hotel’s Baker J’s celebrates Bastille Day

CRIMSON Hotel celebrates the festive French holiday Bastille Day with Baker J’s Bastille Day Apéro. Available from July 14-18, from 4 to 7 p.m. is an Apéro Platter good for two persons for P1,500. Add P450 per person for two cocktails. Advance reservation is required. There are three Apero Platters to choose from, the Planches Froide (Cold Board) — Pork, chicken and lemon pate, Cooked pork and garlic sausage, Cooked ham, Pulled pork, Cured ham, and Duck foie gras — and Planche Chaude (Hot Board) — Duck confit croquet, Snails in puff pastry with garlic butter, Caramelized onion, anchovies, and bread dough, a Crepe filled with mushroom, cooked ham, and cheese; and Ratatouille — and the Planche Sucree (Sweet Board) —   macaron, dark chocolate lava cake, creme brulee, canele, and apple tartlet. Crimson Hotel is at 2609 Civic Drive, Entrata Urban Complex, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. For more information, message the hotel on Viber (0998-590-0428).

TikTok Sounds used to spread COVID vaccine misinformation

A TIKTOK feature that allows users to add another person’s audio to their videos is being used to promote misleading and harmful content about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, a think tank said in a new report.

The London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) analyzed 124 videos that used speech from four original TikTok videos, including two that were removed by the company for breaking its COVID misinformation rules, to push misinformation and stoke fears about vaccine side-effects. The 124 videos had more than 20 million views.

“There’s a part of the content which is still able to travel,” said Ciaran O’Connor, an analyst at the counter-extremism think tank. He likened the spread of misinformation though TikTok’s “Sounds” feature to WhatsApp audio messages that proliferated during the pandemic.

Viral trends where users create their own videos by riffing off the same music or speech clip are a central part of TikTok. The popular social video platform, which saw explosive growth during the pandemic, said it reviews the audio of rule-breaking videos and may prevent these being used as Sounds by other users. It said these cases were caused by human content moderation errors. It also said Sounds can be reported on the app. 

Audio from one video of a user implying the COVID vaccine’s fast development made it unsafe and making misleading comparisons to other illnesses has been used in more than 4,500 videos, ISD found.

TikTok said it had previously limited the distribution of videos using this Sound, rather than remove it completely, as it was only deemed to be potentially misleading. Even so, the top 25 videos on the TikTok page for this Sound have been viewed a total of 16.7 million times.

ISD found many of the videos used the Sound to signal support for the statement. TikTok said it took down some of the videos using the Sound and made the Sound more difficult to find in searches after reviewing the report’s findings. It removed the three other Sounds identified in the report.

“We strive to promote an authentic TikTok experience by limiting the spread of misleading content, including audio, and promoting authoritative information about COVID-19 and vaccines across our app,” a TikTok spokesperson said.

ISD found the app had added labels directing to authoritative COVID information on only two of the 124 videos. The company said this was because labels were only added on videos with specific hashtags.

TikTok last week announced changes to its content-moderation systems for certain content, moving to fully automated reviewing systems for categories like nudity and violent or graphic material. — Reuters

McDonald’s launches Bike & Dine in two Pampanga stores

MCDONALD’S Philippines launched “Bike & Dine” facilities in its CM Reto and Clark Gate branches in Pampanga, along with a plan to allow customers to “Ride Thru.”

“We recognize the thousands of [Kapampangans,] especially frontline workers, who have turned to biking as their means of transportation during this unprecedented time,” Margot Torres, managing director of McDonald’s Philippines, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We saw this as an opportunity to provide them a way to enjoy their favorite McDonald’s meals conveniently, while ensuring that their bikes are safe and secure,” she added.

McDonald’s will allow bike-riding customers to “Ride Thru” to order their meals.

Meanwhile, the “Bike & Dine” facility is where cyclists can mount their bikes in racks attached to a ledge, which would also serve as their table, to enjoy their meals.

Ms. Torres was joined by Pampanga Governor Dennis Garcia Pineda and Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon during the ceremonial opening of the facility in the CM Recto store.

McDonald’s said “bike-friendly zone” Clark will be building more bike-related facilities in the future.

Meanwhile, there are now four McDonald’s stores with Bike & Dine facilities, with the other two in McDonald’s Vermosa in Cavite and McDonald’s McKinley West in Taguig.

It plans to roll out the Bike & Dine facilities to more outlets this year.

“We look forward to introducing this innovation to more bike-riding communities, where more customers can enjoy their favorite McDonald’s meals safely and more conveniently,” Ms. Torres said. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Improved Philippine ‘Market Potential’ ranking based on US study

Improved Philippine ‘Market Potential’ ranking based on us study

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 14, 2021

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

Peso retreats as Wall Street climbs on data

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO weakened anew versus the greenback on Wednesday due to gains in the US stock market following data showing quicker inflation in the world’s largest economy.

The local unit closed at P50.30 against the greenback on Wednesday, retreating by 30 centavos from its P50-per-dollar finish on Tuesday, data from Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso started Wednesday’s session at P50.05 per dollar, which was also its intraday best. Its weakest showing was at P50.33 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded increased to $1.173 billion on Wednesday from $801.5 million on Tuesday.

The peso weakened due to preference for the greenback after the gains notched at the US stock market, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso depreciated due to cautious sentiment following the release of data showing stronger-than-expected US inflation.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended lower on Tuesday after hitting record highs earlier in the session, with investors digesting a jump in consumer prices in June and earnings from JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs that kicked off the quarterly reporting season, Reuters reported.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.31% to end at 34,888.79 points, while the S&P 500 lost 0.35% to 4,369.21. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.38% to 14,677.65.

Data indicated US consumer prices rose by the most in 13 years last month, while so-called core consumer prices surged 4.5% year over year, the largest rise since November 1991.

Economists viewed the price surge, driven by travel-rated services and used automobiles, as mostly temporary, aligning with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s long-standing views.

For Thursday, Mr. Ricafort expects the local unit to move within the P50.10 to P50.40 levels, while the trader gave a forecast range of P50.20 to P50.40 per dollar. — LWTN with Reuters

1...7,4337,4347,435...13,879Page 7,434 of 13,879
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube